Thomas James Selby was baptized October 20, 1835 into St.
Paul's Episcopal Church in Baden, but at Woodville. His
parents
are listed as Thomas and Ann Selby. [Church records, MSA
Special Collections, M1148, pgs 30-31] His
mother Ann may have died shortly after his birth, since he begins
to appear in records as part of his uncle Jesse Selby's family.

In 1845 Thomas inherited $294.645 which with that "already received will make five hundred dollars" from Jesse
Selby. [PG WB PC.282; MSA CR34,682]

In the 1850 Federal Census of Aquasco District Thomas
Selby (15) is residing with Henry L. Wright, a 42 year old planter
in Aquasco District No. 8.

During 1861-65 James may have served in Company B of the Maryland
Guard of the 21st Virginia Infantry. Both a Pvt. James Selby and
a Corporal James Selby are listed with the Confederate Army.

The 1863 "LIST of all persons of CLASS I, subject to do military
duty" included James T. Selby, 30, a white farmer living in the Fourth
District of Prince George's County, Maryland. [Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865,
Ancestry.com]

The 1870 Federal Census for Croom in the Nottingham District lists Thomas Selby (34) as a carpenter residing in the household of W. S. Ryan (also a carpenter). No family is listed.

In the same census listed on the same page are neighbors Stanley
(37) and Margaret (35) Coffren with their three children: Edward
(10), Annie (6), and Florence (3). Charles Whitney (37), a shoemaker
from New Hampshire, resides with them. In the 1860 Federal Census
Stanislaus Coffren (27) is listed as a mechanic living with his wife,
Margaret (22), and no children.

James T. Selby married Margaret Ellen Coffren on January 23, 1872
in PG. [Maryland Marriages] This would have been her second marriage.

In the 1880 Census for the 3rd Election District Thomas (45) appears
listed as a farmer with wife Margaret (45) and six children: Margaret
(20), Edward (19, a farm hand), Sarah (16, at school), Florence (13,
at school) Oden (7, at school), and Iola (2).

Iola Selby, "daughter of Margaret E. and James T. Selby," died
at the age of 15 on July 3, 1893. She lived with her family on Harrison
Street in Anacostia in Washington, DC and is buried at Congressional
Cemetery. [From CongressionalCemetery.org]

The 1900 Federal Census for Washington, DC, shows widow Margaret
E. Selby (65) living at 441 Harrison Street. Two of her six children
are alive and she owns her house free and clear. Edward S. Thomas
(28), his wife Edith (24), and their two children rent from Margaret
and reside with her, although they do not appear related.

The 1910 Federal Census for Washington, DC, shows widow Margaret
E. Selby (75) living at 1741 Good Hope Road by herself. Florence
is the only one of her six children surviving, and Margaret
owns her house. [Did Harrison Street become Good Hope Road?]

Margaret E. Selby died on December 22, 1912 in Washington, DC and
is buried at Congressional Cemetery. She lived on Good Hope Road
in Anacostia and was the mother of Mrs. F. V. Swann. [From CongressionalCemetery.org]